peace_child
What do mission organizations do for these people?
I used to think that people like missionaries were just being mettlesome and intruding on other people's lives. I mean why go all the way across to some unknown place and risk your life to save people who seem to be quite well off without any help from modern society. And anyways who's to say the missionaries would receive any appreciation or thanks for all their work?
It's only recently that I began to realize how shallow that sort of thinking was and that there's so much more in missionary work and how it can affect people's lives, for cultures like the Sawi and even our "modern" cultures.
Usually I would think, sure, Sawi culture is different, but there's no need to introduce to a new perspective on life to rescue them from their "evil ways." Who's to say that cannabalism is evil, and more evil than the disgusting murders commited in our cultures. Sin is supposed to be the same in God's eyes right? So then who are we to judge other people when we lie to, cheat, and deceive those around us everyday. So that's where I figured, the Sawi are just living the way they were brought up, there's no reason to change their views when they seem to be fine as they are.
Then I finally get it, missionaries don't just go in to convert people or "improve" lives, but to show another way to live, and the life they show them just happens to be the one that glow's with the warmth of Chirist's love. The belief in God isn't forced upon anyone but is simply related to and explained, it's up to one's own desire whether to follow it or not.
Life is a gift of God and in my opinion shouldn't be wasted by just functioning through everyday life without any thought of our own, constantly worrying about the many people/entities you have to please, and doing things that don't quite agree with you. I'm beginning to believe that if we can follow Christ's way we can avoid many of the unpleasantries in life and find our true calling and fulfill our duties as people put on Earth. And so if you ask me what I think missionaries do for people, I guess they help people find another light in life, modern or not, with or without our gratitude because the gratification they seek is given to them by God and doing His work.
I agree with your first paragraph, however I do not think that, that is shallow thinking. I really liked this " Who's to say that cannabalism is evil, and more evil than the disgusting murders commited in our cultures. Sin is supposed to be the same in God's eyes right?" as I totally agree with it and you wrote it very well. I did not read any of your earlier posts but now I think I shall :)